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Post by Auf Kiltre on Dec 29, 2020 11:42:54 GMT -5
Having some left over parts (pickups, body, some electronics) I decided to cobble together another Strat. Throwing caution to the wind I stripped the ash body and hit it with "antique white" varathane, then multiple thin coats of clear lacquer. I'm gonna call it a Mary Kaye finish as it does show the grain and look very much like one of the many examples I've seen of the finish. But the uniformity of the visible grain leaves a lot to be desired. I though about relic'ing the deficient areas but now that I've clear coated it think it would not turn out well. I've yet to wetsand. Ordered some used gold hardware and a neck. I think it'll look ok from 20 feet, but am thinking of engraving the gold neck plate with "2020 Commemorative Strat. 2020, you s u c k e d".
No pics, so maybe TTIU. Just like 2020. 😄
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Dec 29, 2020 12:25:11 GMT -5
This is a GREAT idea! C'mon man, you gotta post pics. I know some things are too weird to even contemplate, but hey... you started this.
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jan 1, 2021 9:54:17 GMT -5
Since AK hasn't posted any pics of his mongrel guitar, I'll do so. This pic was obtained without his permission; I know a few people that work at a gubmint agency and they have...methods.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Jan 1, 2021 14:14:19 GMT -5
Eet iz fantastique, no?
My project has reached an impasse. Yesterday I artistically threw various bolts, screws and small tools at it. I'm currently soaking a piece of steel wool in vinegar for a few days. Pickup covers soaking in a coffee brew.
I am ashamed. 🤡
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Jan 2, 2021 12:10:14 GMT -5
An interesting result from the plastic aging department. This is a 2 day soak of pure white plastics in coffee. I'm guess the disparity has something to do with type of plastic used.
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jan 2, 2021 12:36:54 GMT -5
In my experience, polystyrenes will stain but the various polymers of ABS resists it.
Fender and aftermarket suppliers have used both of these as well as others, e.g., Nylon-based plastics, for pickup covers, knobs, pickguards, and plates over the years.
The two knobs that remained white are probably ABS.
You can sometimes improve stain transfer to plastics by adding a mild acid (vinegar is good) to the soak.
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Post by Leftee on Jan 2, 2021 12:38:12 GMT -5
Yes... some plastics don’t take the stain attempt.
I’m just sitting over here in my corner watching this thread.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Jan 3, 2021 13:19:57 GMT -5
Ugly Pt 1. I'm hitting this with very light coats of Wellmart shellac diluted with 190 proof akeehaul. I put a drop of amber in there and cut it really light, applying it with cottonballs wrapped in cloth. The objective is to get it a little yellowed (preferably irregularly). Any faux aging was done using the vinegar+steel wool trick (I blame Peegoo). I have aged the gold hardware using vapor exposure to vinegar and salt, the results varying from too much to too little. But as I said, it's gonna be an ugly guitar.
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Post by LTB on Jan 5, 2021 23:59:07 GMT -5
Since AK hasn't posted any pics of his mongrel guitar, I'll do so. This pic was obtained without his permission; I know a few people that work at a gubmint agency and they have...methods. 😂😂😂😂😂 that is the most hideous thing I have ever witnessed. Almost hurts the eye to look at it
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Post by themaestro on Jan 6, 2021 8:38:23 GMT -5
Sometimes it just feels good to relic or otherwise violate an instrument.
I picked up a B.C. Rich Warlock bass for about 50 bucks. I bought it on a lark since it doesn't fit my personality at all. My first mod was to protect body points by making little caps out of soldered brass sheet. I kind of liked the look of the discolored brass and sloppily soldered seams. After that, I couldn't stop. I ended up rooting through my garage junk looking for other stuff to hang on it.
It still plays just fine. I take it out every now and then just for the shock value.
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jan 6, 2021 9:01:34 GMT -5
That has a really nice Doc Brown look to it.
I dig!
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Jan 6, 2021 9:13:30 GMT -5
Ugly Part 2, a mock up (or some kind of xxxx up )
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Post by themaestro on Jan 6, 2021 11:27:47 GMT -5
The strat relicing looks good to me. It looks worn, but doesn't look like it got thrown info the bed of a pickup between gigs.
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Post by LTB on Jan 6, 2021 22:52:30 GMT -5
Ugly Part 2, a mock up (or some kind of xxxx up ) Looks good Auf!
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Mar 10, 2021 19:45:43 GMT -5
The 2020 Commemorative Fuglycaster is fini. Actually I'm very happy with how it plays and sounds.
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Post by Leftee on Mar 10, 2021 20:35:25 GMT -5
That looks great!
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Mar 10, 2021 20:59:40 GMT -5
Thanks Leftee. I don't think I'll be getting a gig in the Fender Custom Shop any time soon, but it was a fun experiment. I used Wellermart garnet shellac exclusively on the neck, along with a dremel and a concoction of vinegar and steel wool to oxidize the wood. The finger wear is probably "wrong", but eh, my grandkids can't tell.
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Post by Larry Madsen on Mar 11, 2021 3:34:08 GMT -5
Looks just dandy to me Larry. If you had fun that's the better part of doing it anyway. The fact that it plays and sounds good is where the real satisfaction comes in.
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Post by Leftee on Mar 11, 2021 8:09:27 GMT -5
The finger wear = your favorite notes.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Mar 11, 2021 8:51:12 GMT -5
Ugly's backside Edit to add: and yeah, that misalignment on the backplate with the trem block isn't an optical illusion. I bought a new single ply and used the existing holes and this was the result. When stringing I can still get the ball ends in with an assist from the whammy bar, but maybe I'll just order a "non-budget" plate.
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Post by Leftee on Mar 11, 2021 9:55:07 GMT -5
I struggle with getting back plates right on new bodies. I need a clear backplate template. 🤔
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Mar 11, 2021 15:28:27 GMT -5
That looks really good!
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Mar 11, 2021 16:09:06 GMT -5
Thanks Peegoo. I've prepared this for all my anti-relic associates 😄
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Post by Leftee on Mar 11, 2021 18:07:29 GMT -5
😂😂😂
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Post by LTB on Mar 12, 2021 3:44:52 GMT -5
How did you get the neck to look like that? Stain after sanding?
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Mar 12, 2021 8:08:32 GMT -5
How did you get the neck to look like that? Stain after sanding? The "aging" was done to bare wood using a solution of vinegar with some steel wool in it. After a few days the 2 react and create a funky brown liquid that when applied to wood quickly oxidizes it. My concern was what that would look like with a shellac finish over the top. I used a 2 lb cut of garnet shellac which quickly brought the amber hue, so I stopped after a couple of coats. I then used 0000 steel wool which worked really well to make it look right on the back of the neck. The finger wear spots on the fretboard actually rejected the tinting a bit which was serendipitous. I did a little additional work with a felt polishing wheel on a dremel. All this said, it ain't great but I've seen worse. I had this ash body laying around, a 3 lb 12 oz from MJT (Wildwood Mfg body) with a 3 tone sunburst that I wasn't in love with. I needed another Strat like I needed a hole in the head, but ya know...🤭
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Post by Leftee on Mar 12, 2021 8:13:43 GMT -5
I think you did great! I’m very impressed!
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Post by LTB on Mar 12, 2021 13:40:35 GMT -5
I think you did great! I’m very impressed! I do too! It looks more authentic than I am used to seeing
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Mar 12, 2021 14:58:34 GMT -5
No belt sanders or tow chains were employed. 😄
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Post by Leftee on Jun 30, 2021 20:33:32 GMT -5
If you don't mind, I'll sully up your thread.
Just finished this one.
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